Larian Studios Clarifies Its Use of Machine Learning for New Project
The team behind popular RPGs like Baldur's Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin just unveiled its upcoming project, sparking significant excitement within the gaming community. However, subsequent comments from the company's co-founder have introduced a new dimension to the conversation, addressing the studio's stance toward generative artificial intelligence.
A Tool for Ideation, Not Replacement
In a latest clarification, Larian's director explained that the developer is employing machine learning for particular preliminary functions. These include developing presentation materials, producing initial visual ideas, and writing placeholder dialogue.
Crucially, Vincke made clear that the shipping assets in the game will be authored entirely by human artists. "Our team is developing all the content ourselves," he stated.
We are continuously expanding our roster of storytellers and are busily forming narrative groups.
As this area is being explicitly referenced — we currently have over twenty artistic staff and have positions available for further creatives.
All our efforts we do is incremental and focused on letting our team spend additional energy on actual creation.
Every ML tool used well is supplementary to a creative team routine, not a replacement for their talent.
Addressing Concerns and Clarifying the Vision
The admission of employing this technology originally sparked backlash among some the community. In response, Vincke issued more clarification on public forums.
"At Larian, we employ AI tools to explore references, in the same way we use Google and physical media," he explained. "During the conceptual planning process we use it as a simple sketch for composition which we then replace with authentic artwork."
He continued, "Our studio recruits artists for their unique talent, not for their willingness to execute what a AI generates."
Focused Uses for Machine Learning
Vincke had in the past broken down the team's targeted approach to this technology, categorizing its use into primary pillars:
- Automation of Tedious Tasks: Areas like polishing mocap data, audio processing, and technical processes like retargeting animations.
- Accelerated Iteration: Using technology to rapidly prototype basic versions of gameplay ideas to test concepts before full production.
- Long-Term Aspirations: Exploring how AI could one day create new forms of player agency, specifically in managing dynamic reactions in a complex RPG.
He clearly noted that central narrative domains — including writing — are not areas where the studio is cutting human input. On the contrary, Larian is expanding its staff in these exact fields.
"Our studio is neither launching a game with any AI components, nor planning on reducing teams to swap them out with artificial intelligence," Vincke stated definitively.